Motor Vehicle With A Sensor Arrangement

• US 20080068145A1
• Filed: 09/19/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Company
• Original Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Company
• Inventors: Marx, Bernhard, Olk, Joachim, Weghaus, Ludger
• Application Number:
  US11/857,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20080068145A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.25
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2054 by foot gestures
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/246 characterised by the challenge triggering
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/822 Light emitters, e.g. light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/852 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/858 by body parts, e.g. by feet
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/106 Lighting
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/536 Hoods
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening upwards
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/64 using a proximity sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A motor vehicle with a sensor arrangement for monitoring some of the outside area around the motor vehicle for the presence of a user'"'"'s limb or part of an object, where the sensor arrangement is installed and aligned such that a simple movement of the body, e.g. lifting and/or turning the leg or foot, is enough to move some of a leg or foot of a user standing next to the motor vehicle into the part of the outside area around the motor vehicle monitored by the sensor arrangement.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle sensor arranged for monitoring an outside area around the motor vehicle for the presence of a user'"'"'s limb or an object, comprising:

a sensor, said sensor being mounted on said vehicle to sense an area adjacent the vehicle and aligned such that a movement of a user'"'"'s body standing next to the motor vehicle into said sensed area around the motor vehicle, generates a signal from said sensor to an actuator in the vehicle in operative communication with said sensor.

2. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle includes configuration for keyless control of a user'"'"'s authorization to access and/or drive the motor vehicle.

3. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle has motor-driven actuator deployed to unlock and/or lock a door, hood or lid.

4. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle has motor-driven actuator deployed to open and/or close a door, hood or lid of the motor vehicle.

5. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 1, further comprises a controller, said controller being in operative communication with said sensor.

6. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 5, wherein the sensor signals to said controller whenever the sensor detects an object or limb moving into the part of the said area adjacent the vehicle monitored by the sensor.

7. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 5, wherein the controller unlocks and/or locks a door, hood or lid when it receives a signal from the sensor.

8. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 5, wherein the controller activates and/or deactivates an actuator for opening and/or closing in response to a signal from the sensor.

9. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle has motor deployed to fold in and/or out a swiveling trailer hitch.

10. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 9, wherein the controller activates and/or deactivates an actuator for folding in and/or out when it receives a signal from the sensor.

11. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 1, wherein the sensor is installed proximate to a door, hood or lid of the motor vehicle.

12. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 1, wherein the sensor is installed at the rear end of the motor vehicle.

13. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 1, wherein the sensor is installed above a bottom edge of a bumper.

14. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 1, wherein the area adjacent the motor vehicle monitored by the sensor is marked on the motor vehicle.

15. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 1, wherein the area adjacent the motor vehicle monitored by the sensor is located under an outer shell of the motor vehicle.

16. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a motion detector.

17. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement includes a capacitive sensor.

18. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 1, wherein the sensor includes an infrared sensor.

19. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 1, wherein the sensor includes an ultrasound sensor.

20. The motor vehicle sensor as in claim 1, wherein said sensor transmits a signal in response to a defined motion profile or sequence of movements of the leg or foot.

21. A method of enabling opening a door, hood and/or lid of a motor vehicle comprising:

mounting a sensor to sense an area adjacent the vehicle connecting said sensor to an actuator, said actuator being deployed to actuate a door, hood, lock or lid in response to a signal from said sensor,

said sensor signaling said actuator in response to a movement in said area adjacent the vehicle,

wherein unlocking is activated when a user has been successfully authenticated by an ID transmitter.

22. The method as in claim 21, wherein the process of authentication is started by a movement into the area adjacent the motor vehicle monitored by the sensor.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said movement is a sequence of motions by a user.

24. The method as in claim 22, wherein an at least partially open door, hood or lid activates closing prior to locking.

25. A motor vehicle having a sensor comprising:

a sensor, said sensor being mounted on said vehicle to sense an area adjacent the vehicle and aligned such that a movement of a user'"'"'s body standing next to the motor vehicle into said sensed area around the motor vehicle, generates a signal from said sensor to an actuator in the vehicle in operative communication with said sensor.